| Copyright | The Association of the Friends of Liminka Bay (Liminganlahden Ystävät Ry) has the right to use images submitted to the competition on its website and in news coverage and advertising concerning the bird photography competition in different media. |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Open to all photographers, worldwide. |
| Finish | 30 April 2013 |
| Entry fee | 20€ |
Finished
Categories and prizes:
- Wetland birds. Submit beautifully realised images of a bird or birds in their wetland habitat.
- A photography weekend at Liminganlahti: two days of photography at a bird hide, including training, a guide, and a two-night stay, with meals, at the Liminka Bay Visitor Centre (value 570€, provided by the Liminka Bay Visitor Centre and Finnature Oy).
- An eagle photography weekend at Utajärvi: two days of photography at a bird hide, including training, a guide, and a two-night stay, with meals, at Merilä manor (value 570€, provided by Finnature Oy)
- Birds in motion. Submit images of birds actively doing something; for example, in flight, landing, taking off, competing, or eating.
- A Nikon D5100 digital camera +18-105mm lens (value 549€, donated by Nikon Finland)
- A night at a ‘wolverine hide’ in Lieksa (value 180€, offered by Eräeero)
- Enchanting birds. Submit enchanting and aesthetically pleasing bird images. Particular attention will be paid to the composition and expressiveness of the image.
- A Canon Powershot S100 digital camera (value 399€, donated by Canon Finland)
- A night at a ‘bear hide’ at the Boreal Wildlife Centre in Viiksimo (value 180€)
- Young people under 18 years of age. Images of any topic concerning birds can be submitted to the young people’s category; please nonetheless follow the competition rules.
- A check for the sum of 500€, donated by the municipality of Liminka
- Attendance at a photography workshop in Kuusamo (value 500€, arranged by Kuusamo Birds (Kuusamon Lintumatkailu Oy))
Adult attendees can take part in 3 categories and submit a maximum of 3 photos for each category. Photographers under 18 years of age can take part for free in their own category. Images entered should be of wild birds photographed in the wild.
Image requirements: the longest side of a landscape image should be 1400 pixels; the longest side of a portrait image should be 1050 pixels), high-quality JPG images with a maximum size of 1MB. The judges will ask for the original JPG or RAW files of any images awarded a prize in the competition. The cropping of images; the removal of any dirt from the sensor; and so-called ‘normal,’ necessary adjustments such as changes to white balance, levels, colour saturation, sharpening, contrast, and brightness, and noise reduction are allowed.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Frequently asked questions — Animal photography contests
Who can enter animal photography contests?
Most animal contests welcome photographers worldwide, from hobbyists to professionals. Many prioritize ethical shooting practices and authentic animal behavior—review guidelines to confirm if your work aligns with wildlife conservation, pet photography, or artistic animal portrait focuses.
Are animal photography contests free to enter?
Some are free; many charge $10–$45 per image, with early-bird discounts or multi-entry bundles often available. Entry fees and deadline tiers are listed in the Quick Facts section at the top of each contest page on PhotoCompete.
What prizes do animal photography contests offer?
Prizes range from cash awards ($200–$20,000) to publication in nature magazines, exhibition features, professional gear, or donations to animal conservation projects. Recognition from respected wildlife organizations can amplify your impact and credibility in the animal photography community.
How do I choose which animal contest to enter?
Match your strongest animal images to the contest's focus—wildlife behavior, domestic pets, macro details, or conservation storytelling. Review past winners for style cues, verify ethical guidelines (no baiting or staging), and confirm technical specs like resolution and metadata requirements.
Frequently asked questions — International photography contests
Who can enter international photography contests?
Most international contests welcome photographers worldwide, regardless of nationality or experience level. Always verify eligibility on the official contest page—some restrict by age (18+), amateur/professional status, or thematic focus.
Are international photography contests free to enter?
Some are free; many charge $10–$50 per image, with early-bird discounts often available. Entry fees and deadline tiers are listed in the Quick Facts section at the top of each contest page on PhotoCompete.
What prizes do international photography contests offer?
Prizes range from cash awards ($500–$25,000) to gallery exhibitions, publication features, professional gear, and artist residencies. Prestigious awards like the Sony World Photography Awards or IPA carry significant industry recognition.
How do I choose which international contest to enter?
Align your strongest work with the contest theme and review past winners to gauge aesthetic preferences. Confirm technical specs (resolution, file format), check rights clauses carefully, and prioritize contests whose mission matches your artistic goals.